Subhi is a young boy, a Rohingya Muslim, born in an immigration detention centre in Australia. Life is hard with little food, no education and most devastating of all, no hope.

With no memories of his family’s home, Subhi has a desperate appetite for his mother’s stories about her former life and homeland. He has a vivid imagination, but even he is taken by surprise when a young girl manages to break through the fences surrounding the camp. Jimmie brings him food and friendship, but also hope for a different life beyond the confines of the detention centre.

Zana Fraillon wrote this novel to highlight the human stories behind the statistics on the refugee crisis. It’s a heart-breaking story, with both horror and tragedy, but also the power of friendship and hope.